The ITTF welcomes the announcement from the Paris 2024 Organising Committee of the appointment of Gilles de la Bourdonnaye as Table Tennis Sport Manager.

Gilles de la Bourdonnaye is one of the most successful table tennis players with three gold medals at the Paralympic Games and three World Champion titles. His experience also includes leading four international para-competitions in Nantes, France, and one of the top clubs in of the country.

“I have known Gilles for many years. As an athlete, he regularly competed against the players I used to coach, and a friendship quickly bloomed. He is a great professional, and I am delighted by his appointment,” said Raul Calin, ITTF Secretary General.

“I am delighted and proud to become the table tennis sport manager for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. With our Sports Director Jean-Philippe Gatien, former World Champion and Olympic medallist, Table tennis will be in good hands at the Paris Games. I have already started working with the International Table Tennis Federation, and I also had the privilege to meet with President Sörling last year. Many ideas have already come up. I am confident that the Paris 2024 table tennis competitions are going to be incredible.”

As Sport Manager for Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis, Gilles de la Bourdonnaye is responsible for the competitions’ planning, organisation, and delivery. He will be the primary point of contact for the ITTF, coordinating all technical aspects such as the competition area, the competition schedule, the training site, and the equipment.

“The ITTF is looking forward to collaborating with Gilles to prepare for the delivery of a world-class competition and an innovative sporting experience,” added Calin.

“There are two years left until the opening of Paris 2024, but our work starts now. We are keen to use the Games’ preparation to engage the French population and further grow table tennis in France and Europe.”

Table tennis has been part of the Olympic programme since 1988 and enjoyed great success in recent Games. Last year, young talents and legends came to Tokyo united by a common goal: to achieve their Olympic dream. Table tennis was the sport with the biggest digital viewership, while France was the European country with the largest TV net reach.

The sport has also appeared at every single Paralympic Games since Rome 1960. There were 31 medal events contested at Tokyo 2020 across wheelchair, standing and intellectual impairment classes.

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will take place from 26 July to 11 August, and the Paralympic Games will take place from 28 August to 8 September. Table tennis competitions will be hosted in South Paris Arena #4, an exhibition and convention centre which will be a major hub for the Paris 2024 Games.